Fred David: A Twentieth Century Life

A renowned aeronautical designer, Fred David’s life and career reflect the major political and economic events of the last century from the collapse of the Austro-Hungarian Empire to the Cold War. Born into a middle-class Jewish family in Vienna in 1900, he graduated as a mechanical engineer, then worked in Sweden, Germany and America developing aeronautical expertise. During the 1930’s, he helped design aircraft in Germany and Japan, some of which were used against the Allies in WW2, including the raids on Pearl Harbour and Darwin.

In 1939, now stateless, he and his wife, Else, came to Melbourne. His mother and two siblings also made it here before the war. Although classified as an “enemy alien”, Fred David worked at the Commonwealth Aircraft Corporation at Fishermans Bend where he led the design of the only Australian developed fighter plane that saw combat in WW2, the Boomerang. He went on to work in aeronautical research and the development of guided missiles. A quiet achiever, Fred’s personal passion was music, performing as a cellist in a string quartet. He passed away in 1992.

This presentation explores the life of Fred David through the lens of the geopolitical forces that shaped his improbable career. The focus is on locating his technical work within an everchanging social and cultural context.

David Radcliffe is a Professor Emeritus of Engineering who now researches local history as a member of the Port Melbourne Historical and Preservation Society. He has published three books: Changing Fortunes (2021), a social history of a street precinct in Port Melbourne, Making It Here (2024), on the evolution of manufacturing in Port Melbourne and Fishermans Bend and Goldfields to Graceville (2025), a family history spread across three continents.

 

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